Welcome to the World of Tomorrow

It is now - officially - a brand new year. I was starting to think that we'd never get here. I sincerely hope 2021 brings you much joy, success, and happiness. Do err on the side of caution, however. The date is merely a number, after all, and we are not suddenly auto-immune from the myriad problems that troubled the planet over the course of 2020. There is definitely hope ahead, and that's beautiful, but stay safe and be ?wary of falling into the "New Ye??ar = No Problems" mentality that some have chosen.

This week has seen me smashing through a selection of games new and old, in-between bouts of grumbling onto the scales and feeling blue about what the festive week has done to my waistline. I've been barrelling through the run 'n' jump chaos of Super Meat Boy Forever, (of which you can expect a review very soon indeed), while also chipping away at a 100% completion rate in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The latter has seduc??ed me with secret protagonist Blo??odless, however, who now has me gallivanting around Hellhold Castle all over again. Curse her and her adorable guillotine parasol.

Anywhoo, I gotta get back to work. It's a new year and there is much to do. But thank you, as always, for taking the time to stop by. Be sure to dive into the comments and share with us the video games that are ringing in the new year for you. Whether you're picking through your backlog, playing some newly acquired releases, or just chilling with familiar favorites, fill us in on the action. We always, always enjoy hearing all about it.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destr?uctoid.

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Happy Holidays!

Hey folks, hope you're enjoying the spirit of the season. Regardless of whether you celebrate or even care about Christmas, it's still nice that, for most people, the world slows down just a tad to give us all some breathing room. And lord knows we could all use as much of that as possible. I hope the week has been kind to you, and that the weekend brings yo?u some good times, whether crashed out with your favorite games and people, or just finding a few small moments to yourself. Have a great one, frie?nds.

My festive week has been spent bouncing on and off-site while hitting up various vidya gamez. I got Festive Bernie in Fire Emblem Heroes - joy - and I shot a lot of people in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, I've also been running and bouncing like a madman in new release Super Meat Boy Forever, so you can expect my full review of that in the coming week, hop?efully.

But let's hear from you, our darling community. Whether you've been ??enjoying brand new goodies from friends, treating yourself to some new releases, cramming some of 2020's excellent titles, or just chilling back with familiar favorites, be sure to take the time to drop into the comments and fill us in on your latest escapades. The world might be taking a brief time out, but the community is always open.

Have a joyful and happ??y week??end, from all of us at Destructoid.

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It's Christmas on Friday and how so?

I came to the realization just yesterday that we were exactly one ??week away from Christmas, (o??r at least for those of us who celebrate it). Time had completely gotten away from me, given recent events including the U.S. election, my birthday, the next-gen launch, a huge review season, and multiple IRL events. And just like that, 'tis the season, and I couldn't be less prepared.

But that's fine. The Holiday season for many of us is going to be a little different this year. A little more low-key, a little quieter and, hopefully, a little safer for everyone. And that's fine, this year is not normal and these times are not normal. There were Holidays last year and there will be Holidays next year. This year, it's up to us all to try and be a little more responsible in taking care of ourselves, our loved ones, and others. Y'all know this, but it bears repeating. I hope your preparations are going well, and that you have a lovely week?.

Oh yes, video games. I've been hitting a selection of standbys this week, such as Black Ops Cold War, Fire Emblem Heroes, and Street Fighter V. We also recorded the final episode of Podtoid, w??hich was a happy (if a tad melancholic) experience. Please check it out. Before?? you do that though, don't forget to jump into the comments below and fill us in on the games that are filling your time this week/weekend. Better get cramming for your end-of-the-year lists, right?

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Des??tructoid.

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And the winner is...

I cannot tell a lie, I'm feeling a little grotty this morning. And after spending yesterday sweeping up news, (as well as taking care of some fires - not literally - at home), I'm not quite?? as on-the-ball as usual for this, our regular Saturday soiree into all things gaming. Still, I'm here, and you're h?ere, and I'm really happy for that, so let's get into it.

While I haven't played anything new this past week -  having been squeezing out time in recent haunts such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night - I did catch up with The Keighleys, which I smartly chose not to stay up until 4 a.m. UK time watching. While there was very little that caught my eye, (though I'm still digging Returnal), I hope some of you found your next gaming obsession. 2021 is already shaping up to be a solid year for gam??es, I hope that you're all geared up for i??t.

?But enough about tomorrow, let's look at today. Share with us the titles tha?t have been keeping you occupied this past week. Perhaps you've been creeping through the streets of Night City, or maybe you're finally getting around to a major release from 2020 that has passed you by. But whatever is keeping you warm and comfortable as these dark winter nights draw in, stop by and fill us in on the scoops, the word on the street, the hush-hush.

Have a safe and pleasant? weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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'Tis the season

And just like that, it's December. 2020 - both the fastest and longest year in the history of time and space - is about to come to an ?end. As the nights draw darker and the air a little chillier, the winter months see the coming of GOTY awards, spending sprees, gift-giving, and lashings of eggnog and h?ot chocolate. Even if a year as strange as this one, there's likely to be no stopping the typical spirit of the season. Just, y'know? stay sensible and safe. I'm not your dad (unless I am) but I do care about the well-being of you and your loved ones.

With the major review season mostly under wraps, I've actually taken a little time out from playing games this week, and instead have focused on trying to take a little time out when the day is kind enough to offer me the opportunity. I've been dropping in and out of regular haunts such as Street Fighter V, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and Bloodstained (nearly finished!), but mostly I've just been trying to recharge the brain cells and reflect upon this particularly grueling year. Oh, I have had a run around in cutesy brawler Wonder Blade, so you expect some words about that soon.

I hope all y'all are still finding lots of great titles to keep you occupied on these frosty nights. Whether sti?ll beaming starry-eyed at your new next-gen console, cramming in some last-minute hits of 2020 for your own personal GOTY awards, or just sitting back with familiar favorites, we love to hear what you've been up to. You know the score, drop into the comments below and fill us in on the games that are keep?ing you warm as winter approaches.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend??, from all o??f us at Destructoid.

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Relationship Goals

Happ??????????????????????????y weekend, friends! As ??we approach the final month of 2020, I hope that this week has found you and yours very well indeed. For my American friends, I hope you are enjoying the Thanksgiving holidays. For everyone else, Hell it's still a Saturday so... we all win? I've had a helluva month, and the past week has really beat me down mentally - but the whole year has been a challenge for us all, and hopefully the new year will start to bring new fortune to you, I, and everyone. We got this.

What little gaming time I've enjoyed this week has been spent mainly with two titles: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - where I ground out Prestige status thanks to the ongoing Double XP event - and Mortal Kombat 11, where I've bouncing around with everyone's favorite toothy gal, Mileena, as well as enjoying the excellent Mortal Kombat movie skins. More of those please, NRS. Gimme Talisa Soto and M??usetta V??ander and gaming has essentially peaked for me.

Anyway, it seems that gaming will never peak for any of you. I'm endlessly stunned by how many titles, new and old, you cram into seven days. I? don't know how you all do it, but I love that you do. Jump into the comments ?below and fill us in on the great games that you're enjoying right now. And don't forget to take some time to rest up and recharge, we all deserve the break.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all? of us at Destructoid.

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Put dating options in Call of Duty, you cowards

Duck and cover, folks. The new generation is now officially underway. While some territories had to hold off for an extra week, both Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X hardware are now ??officially out in the wild, ready to rock, ready to roll, ready to break. I hope that those of you who bagged a pre-order have received your shiny new boxes, and I hope you're spend?ing more time with yours than I have with mine:

I've just been really busy... and plagued with sinus headaches. But this morning is the morning I'll finally bust it out, umping straight into brand new games like Rainbow Six Siege, Mortal Kombat 11, and Streets of Rage 4... Look, it was a good idea I purchased this, alright? No, I don't care that it's actually to?o big to fit in my entertainment unit...

While I pull out a calculator and try desperately to work out my budget for the coming months, I'd like you to dive into the comments and sharing your own recent gaming experiences. Whether you're all over new-gen gaming or not is irrelevant. It's all gaming and it's all good. So whatever you've been playing, we'd lov??e to hear about it.

Have a safe and? pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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Bloody Hell

Well, the shit's on now, right? November has already been quite eventful, not in the least bringing about the launch of the ninth generation of gaming. As somebody who was somehow breathing when the first generation was underway, it's been a trip. Everything always seemed like the ceiling, like games "couldn't get better." While some might argue that they haven't, the undeniable fact remains that the technology behind the incoming wave of modern classics is a step up from Gun Fight. Buckle up, it's gonna be a wild ride.

We've all been super busy at Destructoid the past couple of weeks, which has left very little time for personal gaming funsies. I did dive back into the Gothic splendor of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night once again, and made some serious progress from my previous meanderings. I also said hi to the divine Bloodless, who was recently added to the platformer as a playable character. Nice. Once Bloodstained is wrapped up, I can get back onto Control, as promised to you, our beloved community.

Speaking of which, you know the score by now, drop into the?? ??comments below and let us know what you've been playing, or have lined up, for the week. Maybe you're the proud owner of a brand new console, or maybe you're more than happy with your current backlog, thank you very much. Whatever your gaming plans, please share them with us below!

Ha?ve a safe an?d pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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A new era approaches

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that, somehow, the weeks of the horrorscape that is 2020 are ge??tting faster and faster. Events that once seemed set in the future are upon us, impending, or passed entirely. It feels as if the year has flown by and, as we head into November, a new era of video gaming beckons. None of us really know when Real Life will return to normal, (or "The New Normal"), but just continue to be you?r very best self, look after those around you, and support those that may not be doing as well. Things will improve and a lot of us are handling this unprecedented year better than we give ourselves credit for.

This week was a bit of a disaster for me, game-wise. A couple of blinding migraines put me off excess screen-staring for a couple of days, then my PS4 - a launch model - finally bit the dust while trying to eek out Ubisoft's Watch Dogs: Legion. This required me to purchase another PS4, just a fortnight before the PS5 drops. Beggars belief. As for DedSec's adventures in old London town, keep your e?yes? peeled for a review very soon. Oh, it was also my birthday, which saw me enter a new decade. I hope it's a good one.

Hope y'all ha??ve had a good week, and have been successful in finding hours of great digital entertainment. This is your time to shine, as always, so jump into the comments below and let us know what games have taken your fancy this week. There are no?? rules, (there are some rules), but spill the beans on the old, the new, the great, the bad, and everything in between. We love hearing what you've all been up to.

Ha??ve a safe and pleasant weekend, from a??ll of us at Destructoid.

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London Calling

Are the nights drawing in faster in your neck of the woods? Here in the U.K. we have? put the clock backs, which lead to dark mornings and darker evenings. This can be tough on the old noodle, and I've found myself losing balance on numerous occasions this week. But I have a few good friends - both here on site and in real life - and they have done their best to keep me on an even keel... well, as even as possible.

As we enter November and the dawning of a brand new gaming generation, I hope that you and yours and handling the tail-end of 2020 well. Stay well-fed, warm, hydrated, and entertained, and be sure to engage with friends and loved ones, keeping everyone's spirits high even when the temperatures are getting a little low. Also, wear thermal underwear, like in old ca??rtoons, that should do the trick.

Oh yeah, right, video games. This week I have been playing two titles for review, D3 Publisher's Onee Chanbara Origin, and Ubisoft's Watch Dogs: Legion. Look out for my thoughts on both of? these titles soon. But before then, dive into the comments below and fill us in on the games you've been playing this week. This is one of my favourite articles of the week, as well as one of Destructoid?'s most consistently popular, so let's keep the party going!

Have a safe and pleasant weeke??nd, from all of us at Destru??ctoid.

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Warrior Waifus

Hello again, folks, and welcome to the weekend. ?As if this was exceedingly possible, we are already at the end of October. This means many things. Winter is approaching, annual gaming releases are on the horizon, a new console generation is upon us, and many are starting to gear up for the holiday season. But this year is no ordinary year, and who knows how the holiday season will play out in 2020. One thing's for ce?rtain though, it's almost my birthday, and at the end of the day, isn't that what really matters?

I've bounced between a few titles this week. I rounded up my time with Gamemill's G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout, and I leapt in the claret-swishing, boob-bouncing world of the Onee Chanbara Origin remake for PS4. Double-A Moyse. That's what they call me in the staff room... If anyone talked to me. Look out for my thoughts on the insane anime hack 'n' slash title soon. Oh, and al??so some major release set in London.

But let's hear your thoughts. That's what we're here for. Whether you're playing games old or new, bad or good, a new experience or a familiar favorite, take a few minutes to jump into the comments below and share your time-killers with us - especially if you are actually playing Time Killers. Thanks for always being a part of this weekly discourse, I love you for it. Oh, and if you haven't, maybe take a gander at our forums.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, fro??m all of us at Destructoid.

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Don't give 'im the stick

It has been a week, both in my own localised life bubble and in the greater picture of this here planet. I miss the days when I could open these articles with a simple "Hey yo" and a brief reminder to love yourselves and each other, but the reality is that troubled times continue. While I'm not interested in pretending we aren't all having a tough run right now, it's still important to remember that we all have our saving grace??s, be they friends, family, pets, movie??s, exercise or, of course, video games. Keep it up, folks, you've got this.

This week has seen me engaged in military warfare on two very different fronts. Firstly, I spent some hours runnin' and gunnin' through 1980s Miami in Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War beta. Then, far and away from that "real-world" action, I've been taking on the might of COBRA in Game Mill's G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout. Th?e only real conclusion I've drawn is that global warfare is far less traumatic when fought by glasses-wearing dominatrixes (domanatrices?) a??nd evil dudes with solid silver heads. Still, at least I know that now, and knowing is half the battle.

That's more than enough about me. I'm crawling back under the duvet to stick my head in the proverbial sand. Why don't you jump into the comments below and tell us what you've been enjoying this week? It doesn't even have to be gaming related. Perhaps you've read a cool book, or enjoyed a movie, so tell us about that instead. What's important is that you ??interact. We have a wonderful community here and you're very welcome ?to be part of it.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at De?struc?toid.

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My Baby Shot Me Down

Hello again everybody, and welcome to another weekend. A??s we already push toward the middle of October in what has been simultaneously the shortest AND longest year in the history of time, I hope that this post finds you very well indeed. The challenge that is 2020 continues, but I hope that you're keeping safe and healthy, and finding plenty of opportunity to rest, recharge, and sink yourself into things that you love, be it video games, movies, music, books, or the warm arms of partners, friends, or doges. You're doing just fine.

As we approach the lucrative holiday season, its time for AAA publishers to start unleashing their heavy-hitters - heavier than ever given the approaching new generation. As such, I've spent the last couple of days checking out Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War b?eta. For some reason, whenever people need to be blown up, stabbed, or shot, the lords of Destructoid always call on lil' old me, the Bernadetta of the team, to get the job done.

But that's enough about me, let's hear about you. I love the fact that you continue to fill out the comment section each and?? every week with hundreds of posts discussing your current gaming obsessions with your fellow community membe??rs. So whatever it is you're playing, whether an old favourite, a recent release, or just grinding through the backlog, be sure to take a moment to fill us all in on the action. You might even find your next obsession in the discourse while you're at it.

Hav??e a safe and pl??easant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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HEAT Action

As the old adage goes: "There's not many a problem a bicycle to the face doesn't cure," and one man who took this ancient proverb to heart was Yakuza protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. While one of gaming's finest ever heroes - mostly due to his stoic nature, sense of pride, and selfless defence of his friends and loved ones?? - Kazuma's tendency to break the two-wheeled conveyance over ??the heads of all and sundry cannot be underestimated as his best quality.

I got re-associated with that quality last night, as I put a couple of hours into Yakuza Kiwami. Having played the first two Yakuza titles on PS2 back when they released in the '00s, I wanted to check out how those classic storylines, characters, and scenes played out in the optimised Yakuza engine. (If you haven't played PS2 Yakuza, every random encounter or scene switch necessitated a load screen. Yeah.) It was eye-opening to see iconic moments such as Kiryu's arrest and the funeral throwdown retold in glorious HD. The only negative for me is the new "Majima Everywhere" mechanic, which really subdues Goro's presence in the overall story. You didn't see Majima as a wacky, cheeky frenemy in PS2 Yakuza, he was a murderous, stone-cold psychopath.

Anyway, I'm gonna pass the mic to the murderous, stone-cold psychopaths in Destructoid's community. That's all a' y'all. Please spare a moment to drop into the comments below and fill us in on the games that have or will be taking up your valuable time this week/weekend. This article has been more popular in the last month or so than perhaps it has ever been, and I love you all for it, so let's keep the ball rollin'. And if you haven't yet, maybe check out our forums.

Oh, and have a safe and pleasant weekend, from ?all of us at Destructoid.

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We set an Indoor Attendance Record

Lordy, it's been a week. I hope it's been a better one for you. But before we get down to the business of game talk, I have to thank all y'all. Last week's "Whatcha Been Playin'" post got a staggering 426 comments, wh??ich I believe is a new record for this weekly community get-together. This must be how the WWE felt when they pretended to draw 93,173 people for Wrestlemania III. Thanks a ton to all of our community for taking a few seconds out of your weekends to interact with us and share a little bit of your lives.

This week has once again seen me a little too busy to finish up Remedy's Control, (at this rate I'll be amazed if I have it finished by Halloween), as I have spent most of my time either working on site, keeping an eye on TGS, or visiting the local sawbones. Nevertheless, there are many excellent video game titles out there, as well as some other major releases on the horizon. How in the blue hell I'm ever going to get through everything - or even just some things - is anybody's guess.

But that doesn't mean you can't get through everything. In fact, it seems that most of you already have. So jump into the comments below and fill us in on what you've been playing this past week, or have lined up for your weekend. Whether something old, something new, something borrowed, or something... erm... blue? (Senran Kagura?) share your current gaming obsessions with us. Then go and re-watch Savage vs. S??teamboat.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at?? Destructoid.

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Taking Back Control

Hey folks, welcome to the weekend. As we press forward into mid-September and the fall season, it can't be denied that it feels like 2020 has been, well, a bit of a bust. I get that. I think to a degree we're all getting that. Bu??t just keep pushing. I know we aren't out of the woods yet, and the pre-pandemic world feels a million years in the past, but stay strong, love those around you, and keep being the best you can be. We'll get through this and, until then, you'??re doing great. I believe in you.

This week, I started playing Remedy's mind-warping action-adventure Control, as picked by you, our dear readers, in this here article just last week. While my initial?? plan was to complete it before today, work and distractions have unfortunately b?een placing hurdles in my path. As such, it'll probably take me another week for me to see the awesome Jesse Faden through to her conclusion. But for now, let's just say I'm having a really radical time.

And while I get back to The Old House, why don't you drop into the comments below and tell the community what games are taking up your free time right now? It doesn't matter whether what you're playing is old or new, obscure or played-out, beloved or despised - be a part of this weekly get-together and tell the world what it should (or shouldn't) be playing. Oh, and while you're about, maybe check out our awesome forums.

Have a safe and restful weekend, from?? all of us at Destructoid.

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Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal

[Update: The winning title is Control, with about 40% of the votes, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy came in a strong second. Thanks to everyone who?? voted! We?'ll do this again soon, and don't worry, the runners-up will get their day!]

Friends, I'm not sure if I played anything this week. That's pretty wild, but I did have a lot to be getting on with, both on-site and in the weird technicolour mess that is my real life. I dropped into a few regulars - Street Fighter V, Streets of Rage 4, Rainbow Six Siege, etc - but I think I need to start something completely new, something that ?I can bash through in a week that will stand far and away from my usual haunts.

And that's where you come in. For the first time in this article's short history, I wanna ask all of you which of these "currently installed but never touched" PS4 games you think I should play next week. At the end of today, I'll see which title got the most votes, and will jump straight into said game within the next day or two. Yes - this weekend - YOU can control my life... or at least one really minor aspect of it. Be gentle with me.

Oh, and once you've voted, be sure to visit the comments below and let us know what you've been hitting this past week. Maybe you're grinding Marvel's Avengers, or maybe you're literally grinding Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2. Are you out on the links in PGA 2K21, or out on the gridiron in Madden 21??? Whatever it is that you're playing, old or new, fill us in on ??the action!

Have a wonderful weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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Juri Duty

And you made it. I made it. We all made it. It is the end of another week and I hope that it is a week that finds you and yours very well. It'??s still a weird world filled with strange days (great movie), but I do think we're all showing incredible strength, courage, and drive in pushing forward through the weeks and months. I'm real proud of you all.

You probably shouldn't be proud of me, however, as I've relented and am back on my Street Fighter V BS. Yes, my "least favourite game that I've put over 700 hours into" is once again installed on the ol' hard drive, as I lead my gal Juri through a flurry of online opposition. The Industry's Chris "50/50 W/L" Moyse is back in the game, and while I'll admit I'm really missing Mortal Kombat 11, the upside is that no-one has sent me a post-match message threatening my life since I took a break from t?he NetherRealm.

But let's hear from you. You know how this works by now, as you've been doing it for years. Drop into the comments and fill us in on the games that you've been enjoying this week. Whether you're mashing your way through Marvel's Avengers, pulling off a shove-it ollie-nose-grind-donkey-dong in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2, or just enjoying some of your trusty all-time favourites, let us know how you're cu??rrently spending your gaming time.

Have a safe and?? pleasant weekend??, from all of us at Destructoid.

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'Looks like baby made a boom-boom!'

So yeah, last week's "Whatcha Been Playin'?" was a little deep and I really appreciate the kind comments I received in return. The simple fact of the matter is that it's important to me that y'all know you're important. I don't dally about and I certainly don't bullshit anybody. Sometimes you just gotta let people know they matter. Lif??e's too short - and currently far too unpredictab??le - so be sure to pass it on and let those that you care about know that they matter.

I've been really busy this week, which has put paid to a lot of my gaming opportunities. I've spent most evenings squeezing in sessions on Easy Trigger Games' Huntdown, which remains a solid contender for my favourite game of 2020. I'm currently trying to 100% the game on Hard, which is understandably a pretty ?wild ride. But with that soundtrack, those visuals, and a cameo appearance from Snake Pli?sskin, it's easy to keep walking the mean streets. If you haven't checked it out yet, don't sleep on it.

You know the score by now, we're just as interested in hearing what you've been playing lately. So whether you're rocking recent releases such as Ghost of Tsushima, PGA Tour 2K21, or Battletoads, or w??hether you're just jamming away at your backlog or replaying an old favourite, ju?mp into the comments and share your gaming escapades with us.

Hav?e a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of u?s at Destructoid.

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Group hug?

Sometimes, I use this spot as an opportunity to talk about my thoughts on all matter??s gaming. Sometimes, I use it to touch upon world events at large. Sometimes, I don't know what to say and just talk about my infatuation with Z-grade exploitation movies. But this week, I want to take a moment to speak my mind on you, our beloved community.

I worked long and hard, for years, to make it to Destructoid. And I specifically worked to arrive at Destructoid. As a writer, I didn't hope to get a gig "writing on a gaming site," I wrote with the goal of working with Destructoid. I had this goal because I believe in the brand, I believe in the team and, most of all, I believe in you, the readers. I was?? a member of the community myself for many years and, like many of you, have found genui??ne comradeship and friendship among the articles, comments and Qposts of our humble abode.

(I'm gonna split this text with Ben Daglish's awesome C64 Cobra theme.)

Since being brought on as?? staff, I've worked my ass off every single day, resulting in over 5000 articles in a little over three years. It's tireless and sometimes unrewarding work - who likes being shouted at en masse for their opinion? But I get up every day and do what I do because you're worth it. There's occasional falling out, sure, but in general the jbsgame.community remains the most personable, friendliest, and most interesting gaming community on the internet. I believed that then an?d I believe it now. Why am I even getting soppy? 2020 has been a strange and fragile year, and right now I don't think I can predict or take anything about the future for granted, so sometimes it's best to just say things now, rather than putting it off for later.

Thank you for your continued support, your interesting, opinionated, and entertaining voices, your kindness and respect toward the site, the team, and each other. Thank you for sticking with us through the good times and the bad. Oh, and on a personal note, thanks?? for making this weekly article such a massive success, it sees triple-figure comments each and every week and that's wonderful. I see you.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of?? us at Destructoid.

...Oh yeah, I've been playing Kandagawa Jet Girls. What have you been playing?

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The Fast and the Furriest

I don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but Hoo Boy its been scorchio here this week. Not quite as hot as last year - when my chocolate bar went grey and my PS4 console was fried in a thunderstorm - but the humidity here is pretty unbearable. Get out of the?? shower and have a shower. That kind of weather.

And that's not the only heat I've been feeling, as I've also had "The Man" on my case in Bandai Namco's Fast & Furious: Crossroads. Yes, your boy Moyse has taken his rightful place among The Family. Well, that was the initial idea, but I was kicked out after three days because Letty fancied me too much and Dom and Hobbs were salty about how jacked I am... Oh also, I can't actually?? drive a car. Still, be sure to watch out for my upcoming review.

So while I sit here throwing darts at a poster of Vin Diesel who is super jealous of me, why don't you "drift"* into the comments below and fill us in on what games you've been playing this week. It's been a quiet one for releases, but there's still plenty of great titles out in the wild right now. Whether you've been enduring the grim-dark of The Last of Us Part II, or enjoying the madcap action of Fall Guys, drop a comment below and let the people know.

Have a? safe and pleasant weekend, from all? of us at Destructoid.

_{*That's a term we car people use. Look it up.}

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Expendable

A light-gun shooter without the light-gun; a cover shooter without cover; a first-person QTE simulator; an awful life experience - Rambo: The Video Game is all of these things and more. Teyon's infamously bad 2014 release attempts to authentically recreate the first three films in Sylvester Stallone's so-so action series, but ins??tead I was left feeling like I'd spent the day covered in leeches while dangling chest-high in a shitty bog.

A bizarre mish-mash of incomplete gameplay styles, Rambo: The Video Game is a rail-shooter first and foremost, but bravely attempts to add depth through awkward, cumbersome, and mostly superfluous mechanics. These include a shoddy cover system, a largely irrelevant weapon selection, an incongruous skill tree, and copious amounts ??of insta-death quick-time events... I've pushed more cops over more office desks lately.

Here's Co Bao on a riverboat... Look how they massacr??ed my girl...

Contributing to this chaos are repetitive character models, fuzzy voice samples ripped straight from the movies, and a bizarre framing device in which Col. Trautman basically eulogises Rambo through what must be a seven-hour long funeral service. By the time the credits rolled, my arms were aching, as if my brain was sending pain impulses to my fingers to discourage further interaction. Regardless, it's still a more authentic Rambo experience than Last Blood.

I p??ushed it. And it gave me a war I ?couldn't believe. I'll never get that £1 (inc. shipping) back.

While I drown out the death screams of a thousand soldiers,?? (or, more accurately, the same three soldiers over and over again), let's hear how you spent your week when it comes to all matters gaming. You know how this works, just drop us a message below and fill both us and our beloved community in on the digital escapades that ?have been keeping you cheery.

Have a saf????e and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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GET REDDY FUR THA NEXT BATTLE!

Though I've played fighting games for more than half my entire lifespan, I can't deny that lately I'm struggling to hold the devotion. As my eyes, fingers, and senses dull with age, I can't help but feel with each new generat?ion of fighters I get less a?nd less capable at holding my Mad Skillz together. The Struggle, my friends.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the genre - many of its better entries remain among my?? favourite and most played games of all time. But with a year without tournaments I had intended to attend, the (rightful) cancellation of EVO, and several disappointing moves from some solid franchises, I can't help but feel I might be losing the love. Maybe it's just been a particularly bad year for the genre, maybe I'm just in a funk, or maybe the death threat I received this week was the last straw. I guess time will tell - but either way, 29 years is one helluva fucking run. To paraphrase easily pleased pro??-wrestling fans, I still intend to Fight For-ev-er.

But while I meander through that frankly unimportant part of my brain, why don't you drop us a note below and fill us in on what's been keeping you entertained this week. Just like the early-'90s UFC boasted: THERE ARE NO RULES!* So whatever you're playing, old or new, good fun or bad times, jo??in in the discourse below and share with us your current gaming obsessions.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at De??structoid.

_{*Even though there were, in fact, some rules.}

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What you call Hell, he calls Home

To paraphrase The Rolling Stones, Tiii-iiime isn't on my side. No it isn't. Between work, some ongoing real-life situations, and an unscripted night in the hospital, I'm not finding the gaps to indulge in some of my loves - and I don't even have a lot of them! But as summer starts to come to a close, hopefully I'll be able to spend more time enjoying the video games and movies that are sat patiently, anxiously waiting in my backlog.

There's so many games I can't get around to right now. I really want to jump on Carrion, Control, and Ghost of Tsushima, but most frustratingly of all, I'm yet to start playing Rambo: The Video Game, which I purchased this week for the grand sum of £1, including shipping. "DON'T PUSH ME!" Remember when he never said that, ever? Also, remember when this damaged, psychopathic Vietnam veteran was given his own kid's cartoon show? ...Ah, John Rambo, what a japester.

Anyway, y'all know what to do by now, right? Jump into the comments below and share with us - and our delightful community - the video games that have been keeping you sane and happy this week. It could be The Last of Us Part II on PS4, it could be Animaniacs on the ??SNES, all that matters?? is that you share your pleasure with us below, before continuing on your merry way toward what I hope is a happy couple of days.

Have ??a safe and pleasant weekend, from al??l of us at Destructoid.

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Oh, it's a mystery...

Welcome to another weekend, good people of Destructoid. I hope that you and yours are keeping safe and happy.??? The weekend brings with it possibilities for relaxation and good times, and I hope that you find the opportunity for both. Whether the window is large or small, make the most of your free time and go for all the gusto you can get, as they said in '70s beer commercials.

I've been busy both on and off the site this week, so I haven't done very much in the way of gaming. I did take a look at Izanagi Games' Death Come True, the FMV murder-mystery which was made available on PC just yesterday. Featuring amnesiac heroes, psychotic villains, time-lapse mechanics, and just a dash of wackiness, Death Come True's conceptual style is pretty much as expected from the creator of the Danganronpa series. Watch out for a review very soon.

I'm sure a great many of you are currently swinging your katana through the newly released Ghost of Tsushima, while others will still be crawling through the tall grasses of The Last of Us Part II. Of course, they aren't the only two video games ever made - there's at least seven more - so whatever you're playing, share your experiences with us in the comme?nts below. (Be good to your fellow community members and refrain from spoilers, thanks!)

Have a??? safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.

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Please Continue

Hello folks and welcome back to our own little corn?er of this ker-azy globe. I hope that life is treating you and yours very well, and that you continue you find your own quantum of joy as we move well into July. We're pretty much halfway through the year exactly, and while it hasn't really been one for the photo album you, as a community, remain an absolute pleasure to be a part of. Keep it up, friends!

This week I haven't played very much in the way of modern games at all. I've continued to push on through schoolyard murder mysteries Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Persona 4 Golden, but I've also spent a lot of time neck-deep in some of my favourite titles from my formative years. These include games such as Time Gal, Chase H.Q., Double Switch, and WWF WrestleFest, the latter of which remai??ns as playable today as it ever was. Am I burying my head in nostalgia? Quite possibly. But there are no rules, we all do what we need to do to keep th??e ol' brain cells kicking, ya dig?

How have you been spending the week? What games have been helping you to while away the hours and find your smile like 1997 Shawn Michaels. We, along with the rest of the jbsgame.community, love to hear what you've been playing. So drop us a note below and fill us in on the rad action - particularly if you've been playing Rad Action.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all?? of us?? at Destructoid.

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Welcome to Earth

I'm going to hit you with a pretty wild truth, folks. We are now halfway through the year. That's right, only halfway. When I think back to January 1, 2020, I can't deny it feels like it happened on March 22, 1988. But nevertheless, we are here. I am here, as are you, and we'll continue to ??push forward as the tight-knit posse of pals that we are.?? Stay safe, and look after those around you. We'll keep the ball rollin'.

I haven't played much this week. I did put some time into Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, which is my first foray into the crazy/cute/creepy world of Monokuma and pals. ?I'm kind of digging?? it, though I'm sure the sequels are probably a little tighter and more accomplished as interactive experiences.

It's not only the weekend, but it's also July 4, so Happy Independe?nce Day, my American friends. So before you man your crop-dusters to battle an army of extra-?terrestrials, drop us a quick note below and let us know what games you've been hitting recently. Good luck out there, I hope you do President Bill Pullman proud.

Have a safe and pleasant? weekend, from all of us ??at Destructoid.

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You were made to be ruled

Hello, Destructoid. It's Saturday once again and I hope that this week has been a good one for you. The world continues to spin on an awkward axle right now, but I hope you and yours are all doing all well as can be. Please stay safe and take comfort in the small joys wherever you may find them. You have already proven that you've got this.

My small joys? Well, being a beautiful socialite in 17th century France is definitely up there. And as such I took advantage of the Steam Summer Festival to check out the demo for Ambition: A Minuet of Power, which is a title I wrote about many moons ago and have been waiting on patiently ever since. In this visual novel, players step into the shoes of Yvette Decraux, a small-town woman with avaricious desires to be planted firmly on top of the food chain.

Armed with a sharp tongue, wagging ears, and a simply divine wardrobe, Yvette must use her Machiavellian ways to scandal, sleaze, and seduce her way to power against the backdrop?? of the Fre??nch Revolution, lest she find herself having a one-night-stand with the guillotine. While I look forward to the final release, I will admit the demo was disappointing - hindered by its bugs and short length. But with delicious artwork, a sweeping score, and a cast of shifty characters, Ambition: A Minuet of Power remains firmly on my radar, a?nd I look forward to ruling over ??you all as the Duchess I deserve to be.

Until that wonderful time, you may regale me with tales of your own gaming exploits. I'm in no doubt many of you have been elbow-deep in corpses courtesy of The Last of Us Part II, but there are plenty of other titles rocking the market right now. So whatever you're playing, take a moment to leave a comment below and let us in on the action. Thank you for being a part of this weekly get together, it always warms my hear??t to see so many people sharing their experiences in these strangest of days.

??Oh, and n??o spoilers please, be cool to your fellow community pals. Thanks!

Have a safe ??and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoi??d.

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Signs of Love

Good morning, jbsgame.community. (I'm going again, that was way too formal). Good morning friends, and welcome to another weekend. I hope that you and yours are keeping well, that your week has been a good one, and that your weekend is better yet. As the world continues to spin erratically, please look after yourselves?, and remember you are always among friends here.

It's been a very hectic week due to ongoing "non-E3" event, which has seen a week or so of news stretched out to a month and beyond. Due to covering multiple live streams, pumping out a wealth of news, and trying to rest my eyes and brain in between, I've not found the time to jump on Persona 4 Golden's new PC port. I've been made well aware of that adventure's inability to let you tak??e real control for the first few hours, and thus I'm holding off until I have a solid afternoon or evening to my good self. Maybe today!

But before I dive into the wacky antics of Yasogami High, I'd love to hear about all the cool games y'all been playing this past week. While releases have been quiet, I'm sure many of you will be grimly trudging through the chuckle-fest that is The Last of Us Part II. Still, there's been a few video games released since the 1970s - at least 40 I think - so whatever you're playing right now, ??take time out to drop us a note below.

Oh, a?nd no spoilers please, be cool to your fello??w Destructoid pals. Thanks!

Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid??.

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Unit Ready. Unit Lost. Unit Ready. Unit Lost.

Hey folks, welcome to the weekend, and I s?incerely hope it finds you well. It would be ignorant of me to pretend that everything across the world was just fine and dandy right now. This is most assuredly one of the strangest and toughest years I remember facing. But I hope that you and yours are keeping safe and well, Please take care of yourself and others, and find the small joys wherever they lie in these pressing of times.

The opening week of June has seen me spending a lot of my free time mostly attempting to placate a savaged sleep schedule. I did, however, run through the campaigns that make up Electronic Arts' Command and Conquer Remastered Collection. These strategy games recall the heady days of my youth, where I play the original C&C on, of all things, the Sega Saturn. A ridiculous compromise, but I made do, it was a lot of fun. You can check out my thoughts on the remaster right here.

But my business is not the focu??s of this article - yours is. Drop us a note below and fill us in on the vidya gamez that have been keeping you occupied these last seven days. It doesn't matter if they're old or new, whether you like 'em or not, just add your current obsessions to the list below, and show the community how you're right on the cutting edge of entertainment.

Oh, and while you're at it, why not check out our slick new forums. Simply sign up and soon you too can engage in learned discourse, while enjoying pictures of dopey kittens and a??nime characters. Just remember to be good to your fellow Dtoiders while yo?u're there!

Have a safe and pleasant we??ekend, from a??ll of us at Destructoid.

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